Org. Setting and ReportingThe Principal Political Affairs Officer will be based in Bogota, Colombia and within delegated authority, the incumbent will report to the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG). She/he will supervise a Bogota-based team in charge of the verification of the compliance with and the implementation of the restorative sentences issued by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP). ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority the Principal Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Management of the Sentences Verification Office: • Implements the activities related to the work of the full implementation of Security Council Resolution (SCR) 2574 including: fostering dialogue, understanding and cooperation between parties, and collaboration with other partners to develop plans of action to achieve mandate. Incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity and a gender perspective throughout the office's activities. • Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities of the office and coordinates with other components of the Mission and external to the Mission as required. • Ensures that the works of the office are in accordance with the overall political strategy of the Mission. • Monitors and analyzes information and data, managing, coordinating and supervising the preparation of analytical materials and assessments related to the provision of political advice and guidance on the transitional justice system; including reparations, and restorative sanctions as well as other restorative initiatives within the transitional justice system in Colombia related to the implementation of the mandate. • Supervises, mentors, and evaluates staff within the office; participating in selection of new staff; coordinating the activities and personnel of office components at the regional and subregional level. • Formulates the programme of work of the office. 2. Advise and Reporting: • Identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandate; analyzes implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures; proposes plans of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political problems related to the implementation of SCR 2574. • Provides input for the sanctions section for the Secretary-General's reports to the Security Council on the activities of the Mission as well as briefings to the Security Council and other such documents. • Prepares various written materials, such as reports, statements, notes on meetings, speeches and briefing notes. • Provides guidance and political advice to other components of the Mission, as requested. 3. Liaison: • Provides good offices on behalf of the Special Representative Secretary-General (SRSG), as appropriate. • Develops and maintains relations at the national, regional, and municipal levels with governmental officials, including the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and other institutions related to the transitional justice system, political actors and leaders of the civil society, as well as regional actors and organizations and the wider UN system. Performs other related duties as required. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of Peacekeeping Operations and/or Special Political Missions and of UN rules and procedures. Ability to identify and analyze the underlying causes of conflict and instability (e.g., political, ethnic, sectarian, social, economic), and to provide advice to senior officials in developing and implementing political strategies to address them; Ability to evaluate international political situations. Ability to manage and coordinate at many different levels. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands; Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. EducationAdvanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, Social Science, Law or a related field. A first level university degree with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, international relations, conflict resolution, or related field is required. Extensive experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis and reporting is required. Experience working in a government, international organization or non-governmental organization in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required. At least five (05) years of management experience is required. Experience serving in a senior advisory or managerial capacity at United Nations Headquarters, a United Nations field operation or a comparable international organization is desirable. Experience working in Latin America region is desirable. LanguagesLanguages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English and Spanish is required. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeAppointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff, as per the Secretary General´s Gender Parity Strategy. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 November 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Un-represented: Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu. Under-represented: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Turkmenistan, United States of America Candidates interested to work for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia may wish to check out our Realistic Job Preview videos to get an idea of the living and working conditions in different duty stations in Colombia.: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-8SCkVjg-e3073SwTDG1VQf1oLTWfUQ4 United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.